The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-11-25
coNcENr RATING TRoops.



CONVENT RATING TROOPS.
Gen. Sheridan says OF the proposed con-
centration OF troops:
The extension OF railroads throughout
the division which has suddenly pro.
crossed during the year will bring some
posts that wero formerly supplied
with difficulty and expense with
in easy reach. and will also obvate the me-
cessty for longer retaining some OF the
smaller gaIrisors. In pursura nee OF this
theory, tho pciicy ofroncen trating into lar
ger nosts in the vicinity OF railroad centers
has Tor several years been advocated, and
many minor positions now retained only
because they afford a shelter for the troops
not as yet provided for elsewhere will be
abandoned as soon MS accommodations
can be obtained at the regimental posts
now either building or contemplated
in the near future. The work in
the new posts at Denver, whero
it is proposed to place ten com.
panies, will shortly be commenced. That
at san Antonio has been progressing
favorably during tho year. Tho ground
for the new post near Chicago will pass
an early day. At Fort Snelling.both the
reservation and other attendant condi.
tions are favorable for the establishment OF
IL large garrison, and only some additional
buildings are required for their accom-.
mediation. The reconstruction OF Fort
Riley has been actively prosecuted. during
the year, but before it can be completed
additional appropriations will be neccs-
sary.
SOME GENERAL MATTERS.
From the report it appears that
at the date OF the last consolidated
lietur1,S the army consisted OF
2.2oO officers and "a 236 men.
including Indian scouts, The lieutenant
general briefly sums up the condition OF
the various divisions OF the army. and OF
the division OF the Missouri. says
While it has been free from Indian hos
tilities OF any magnitude many operations
OF Il minor nature have been rendered nee.
essury. Troops have been continually oc-
cupied in patrollins the Oklahoma country
and have been successful in keeping intrud-
ers out OF that region. The gradual spread
OF railroads throughout the territory can,
however, ultimately have but one effect,
and l. am now of opinion that congress
may well consider the advisability of open
ing up portions at least oil this
country to settlement. The general re-
views the difficulties arising in Aaguse last
in Colorado near the Uncompahgre In.
dian reservation. and their formulation
through the intercession of Lieut.. Burnette
cavalry.
Gen. Sheridan does not look iavorably
upon the proposition OF Gen. Miles to
scparate the lndiansnow at San Carlos in
to several camps, about 100 or 200 miles
apart, deeming it for the best interests OF
Arizona and OF the Indians themselves
that they should be kept in one body, and
the duties necessary for their control con.
centratcd ut n single point.
InI int rJ, l,,
each location might become the center Of
disturbances, and the difficulties OF their
supervision would be greatly increased"
INCREASED DEsEnTIoNs.
The general expresses regret at the fact
OF II slight increase In the number OF dc.
sertions during the year. and sees no REM
edy for it. He looks favorably on the
new plan OF monthly payments. He says:
The recruiting service has enlisted an in.
creased number OF good men. Discipline is
good. The artillery, infantry and cavalry
schools are reported to BEDDING good work,
and the army has greatly improved in rifle
practice. The general renews his recon.
mendnt'on that 5000 men be added to
captains be added to each infantry regi.
ment. He recommends the appointment
Of u board to frame revised tactics to
meet the changes in hhnaling men occa-
stoned by changes in the methods OF war.
The general urges rs a measure highly pro-
motive of efficiency the retirement OF about
eighty old officers who are unfit for duty,
hut whose retention on the active list on.
tails additional work OH the men who are
atthe salAe time withheld from promotion
thereby. Tho time ia near at hand when the
army should be supplied with machine
guns. Unless an effective arm OF this
character is developed by an American
manufacturer very soon, the government
Should adopt some foreign repeating gun.
Our coast desenses have continued to dc.
teriorate during the year. Adequate de.
lenses must be the work OF years and at
tained ut heavy outlay. In the mean.
time the dynamite gun experiments show
valuable qualities and good results within
their range, and experimenting with a view
/! to their .Iture development should be en-
eouraged. Desirable features arn the speed
with which they can be manufactured anG
their comparative inexpensiveness.
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
| Gen. Sheridan concludes his report al
| follows:
| nm strongly in favor OF the general gov
ernment extending all possible aid to tn.
national guard OF the different states nl
they constitute n body OF troops that ir
/! ady great emergency would form an I'm
| porpanb pagE of our military force. They
should be armed with tho best weapons
amply provided with complete camp ant
garrison equiragea and instructed to the va
rious drills andexercises according to The
tactics and systems followed in the regula,
army. Most OF the state troops nov
march well and handle the gun well, bu
they nre deficient in discipline ind In al
| the duties that teach q soldier to TAX
care OF himself while in camp or upon {
march. This defect can best be pyereora
| by establishing SONS systom oi ehcamp
lnent under the Control aud Erection ant
at the entire expense Of the general govern
rpent, In the Development of such q meas
/ ure the entire army, as well as myself per
sonally, will be glad to render such assist
ance aa lies in our power, and recon
mend that the favorable consideration G
the subject be commended to congress-.
What the 6riteh cenlna,ssiene
Says:
At tho late banquet OF the New Yor
Chamber oil Commerce, among the C1iEtiE